Sun shines on Aintree Ladies Day that everyone’s waited so long for
EXCITED AND emotional racegoers have returned to Ladies Day at Aintree for the first time in three years.
The event, famous for its style, made its comeback yesterday after being cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 and held behind closed doors last year.
Gill Carpenter, 55, said she had been waiting two years to wear her outfit – a hot pink dress with orange accessories, complete with a striking hat she made herself.
She said: “I’m actually quite emotional. This is my favourite meeting of the year. I love it. I love the atmosphere, I love the style, so I have found myself quite choked to actually be here.”
Ms Carpenter, from Lydiate, Merseyside, said she had been to Ladies Day every year since she was a teenager.
She said: “I think people are just so happy to be back, to be out, to see the style and to see people in person again.”
Jeanette Heaps, from Rainhill, Merseyside, said she was at Ladies Day for the first time with her husband and two sons.
She said: “The sun is shining and it’s amazing. I absolutely love it. I’m buzzing already and I have only just got here and I haven’t had a drink!”
Former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan was among the racegoers, wearing a brown dress and pink fascinator.
Edyta Jackson, 41, from Hull, wore a white and metallic long dress with a grey hat from Harrods to attend with husband Robert, 58.
She said: “I was thinking maybe the hat was too much but it’s never too much.”
Mr Jackson said: “I think today is a kind of coming out, an adventure, for everybody to enjoy and embrace.”
Judith Beckett, 69, from Chesterfield, said she spent £10 on red and black striped material which a friend made into a dress, while another friend created her hat.
She said: “It was dreadful when it was cancelled in 2020 so I’ve held the tickets over since then and held the accommodation over and now we’re here it’s wonderful.”
The meeting will host the Grand National today.